Breaking News: Johnson pleads guilty to manslaughter

Written by By Meg Coker
Thursday, 14 October 2010 19:37

A Tunica man has accepted a plea bargain for his involvement in the death of his wife.Sylvester Johnson, 52, of Tunica will serve up to 20 years for manslaughter. Johnson was arrested and charged with murder in the June 2 shooting of Rhonda Layton Johnson, 47, of Tunica. He entered a guilty plea in Bolivar County on Oct. 13.

Johnson's trial was slated to begin next week. He was being represented by David Tisdell of Tunica. Brenda Mitchell, the governor's appointee as district attorney, handled the case for the state of Mississippi.Johnson was ordered to pay restitution of $8758 and $500 in court fees. Manslaughter also carries a $10,000 fine.Johnson was arrested around 9 p.m. on June 2 after authorities discovered his wife's body in their home at 1075 Terrell Drive in Tunica. She was employed as the lead agent for the Transportation Security Administration at Tunica Airport prior to her death and was the mother of a son and a daughter.Mr. Johnson was a longtime employee of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and had retired from his post.